My wife, Jean, and I have been married for 38 years. For most of that time I’ve had the privilege of working at, and leading, Focus on the Family. Since our ministry’s inception, we have prioritized upholding God’s design for marriage.
Given that, you’d think I’d have this marriage thing down by now. But Jean will be the first to tell you (after I humbly admit it myself) that I’m still a husband in progress, hopefully becoming all that God desires of me.
Whether you’ve been married as long as me or you’re a newlywed, every couple can better understand how to move their relationship forward with intentionality and purpose. The great news is that elaborate gestures are not required to keep a relationship strong. Sure, romantic dinners, expensive gifts, or a weekend getaway are great. But Jean and I have learned that it’s the small, everyday things that matter most. Good marriages are built through simple expressions of love, like:
- Listening to one another.
- Speaking kindly.
- Spending time together.
- Doing things you enjoy.
Jean is joining me in the studio on Focus on the Family with Jim Daly, along with Focus’ in-house marriage experts Dr. Greg and Erin Smalley, for a conversation about how to build a solid foundation for a good marriage.
Jean says of your marriage and ours, “None of us have perfect marriages. We’re imperfect people and always will be. But stick with it. A successful marriage is all about working on me – working on my own heart and relationship with the Lord, which helps me become a better spouse. And as I become kinder and more loving to Jim, he becomes kinder and more loving to me.”
I hope you’ll tune in for a great conversation between this little band of imperfect couples as we discuss simple yet effective ways to grow closer in marriage. Listen on your local radio station, online, on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or listen on our free phone app.
My new marriage devotional, The Healthy Marriage Devotional: 365 Daily Inspirations to Bring You Closer Together, is available for a gift of any amount. It’s comprised of 365 daily thoughts that originated as spoken-word commentaries on mainstream radio. The entries have been collated to help you and your spouse go beneath the surface with each other and spark meaningful conversation. Give us a call at 1-800-A-FAMILY (232-6459) or click here for more information. Thank you for your support.
